the mm2 route for MBA early 2015

[Giuanniello]

Story is there are three MBA at home, a mid 2011 11" and two 13" one of which for sure an early 2015 as I guess the other one too, the 11" is a 128GB and no big deal, my 13" has 256 and no big deal too but my son's 13" is a 128GB which is too tight for him and as such did wait long for the Transcend JetDrive to lower in price but they still go for 150 euros for a 240GB here in Italy and as such I thought I might try the mm2 + adapter route onto my 13" and if it works could swap my original Apple SSD to my son's and use his 128 one into an external enclosure (is there any enclosure to fit those besides the one coming with the Transcend drives?).

I know there are loads of threads and posts about this but too long to read them all so would like to know what are the recent experiences and which SSD and adapter should I look for (possibly onto the EU territory) to perform such operation still if it falls within the 150 euros necessary to painless upgrade to the JetDrive.

Thank you all

 

[Audit13]

Is your son's MacBook air an early 2015?

 

[Giuanniello]

Is your son's MacBook air an early 2015?

I am not sure but I guess so since he got his one after I got mine and as such I suppose so it being

 

[Audit13]

If you are sure the Air is a mid-2013 or newer, I recommend getting a Sintech adapter: http://eshop.sintech.cn/ngff-m2-pcie-ssd-card-as-2013-2014-2015-macbook-ssd-p-1143.html.

Macrumors members have had good luck with this adapter too: http://eshop.sintech.cn/ngff-m2-pcie-ssd-card-as-2013-2014-2015-macbook-ssd-p-1229.html

I had to apply some kapton tape to make sure the metal contacts on the adapter I bought did not touch the metal contacts on the Air. The adapter you order may not need the tape.

An Adata sx8200 or Intel 760p nvme SSD would be a good choice.

I am using an Intel 600p 250 GB (now discontinued) with the green adapter in an early 2015 Air.

Make sure you install Mojave to the Air using the original SSD before installing the new SSD.

You must use High Sierra or Mojave with the new SSD.

 

[Giuanniello]

Checked, my son's is an early 2015 7,2 13" MBAir, should I go Syntech adapter and an mm2 SSD? Would you be so kind to tell me if I can get those adapters also here in the EU (I'm in Italy).

Grazie

 

[Audit13]

Unfortunately, I don't know where to buy the adapter in the EU. Many people order directly from Sintech to make sure they get the right adapter.

The SSD can be ordered from online sites like Amazon.

 

[Pugly]

I tried the adapter with a WD Black 512 NVME. I didn’t like the extra heat and reduced battery life. It wasn’t a seamless solution for me. Maybe there are other drives that run cooler.

 

[Giuanniello]

I will try and contact Sintech straight away, easier way. Just to make sure I look at the right item, which kind of SSD should I look for, mm2 one or they have a different standard?

Grazie

 

[Audit13]

Every nvme drive is going to run hotter than the stock ahci drive. The Intel 760p and Adata sx8200 run cooler than the WD black drives.

I run an Intel 600p and it does not feel warmer than the original Apple drive. The 600p is an older drive and about the same speed as my original Air drive.

For the nvme drive, it needs to be an m.2, PCIe, nvme, and 22mm x 80 mm. Here is a link to the Intel 760p drive: https://www.intel.com/content/www/u...d-state-drives/consumer-ssds/760p-series.html